Enjoying some good Christmas films

There are certain movies that are meant to be watched at Christmas – and no – I don’t mean “Die Hard.” 

Nothing against it, but that is a type of movie I can watch any time. In fact, I recall seeing it at the movie theater when it premiered in July 1988. But I get it, the setting is a Christmas party on Christmas Eve night. 

When I think of Christmas movies, I recall the sound and smell of  popcorn popping as my family prepared to watch “Miracle on 34th Street” on TV. 

My parents gave us bowls as we sat on the couch waiting to see the movie. We had watched it several times, but this time it was going to be shown in color. While the story was the same, I still prefer it in black and white.

When I view the movie, it is funny to notice how New York City used to look compared to now. Especially when it comes to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The movie, which came out in 1947, filmed Edmund Gwenn playing Santa in the 1946 parade. While I like the entire movie, the courtroom scenes have some of the best dialogue and interaction. 

Christmas movies, or shows, have always been a part of this time of year. As a child, I was always excited to see the commercials for “Charlie Brown Christmas” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” These are all the classics that I still try to catch at some point during December.

This includes “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Honestly, the Grinch scared me the first time I saw that special on TV. My grandfather turned the channel to that show and said we would like it (yes, that was during those days when you actually had to get up from where you were sitting and turn the dial to the desired station). 

I have always liked when the Grinch’s heart “grew three sizes that day” and he was able to have, “the strength of 10 Grinches, plus two.” In 2000, I was among the many who flocked to the movie theater to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey as the Grinch. My initial reaction was it was okay, but nowhere as good as the cartoon version. Over the years, I have come to enjoy this version and watch it every year.

There are many versions of “A Christmas Carol” that I like. But my favorite is the Muppets version of this classic tale that stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. It’s funny while sticking to the main parts of the book written by Charles Dickens.

There is also “Scrooged” where Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, who is a TV president who focuses more on himself than others. Of course he is visited by three ghosts who remind him about the spirit of Christmas. 

Other Christmas favorites include the old and new versions of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The 2024 hit movie is longer but still shows the heart of the message from the original Christmas show. The original TV movie was shown on HBO a lot when I was a child. My parents recorded that version and we didn’t even have to wait for TV to show it. We wore that tape out.

HBO also introduced me to  “A Christmas Story” and of course my brother and I liked it and would watch it over and over again. Nothing like trying to send a message to Santa and all of the adults getting in the way. I of course always wanted to go to a store where Santa was at the top of a giant slide.

Speaking of Santa, the second movie my wife and I always seem to watch during Christmas is “The Santa Claus” starring Tim Allen. We just watch the first one. We have seen the others – and the Disney plus shows – but the original is the only one in the series we watch every year.

One year, a few weeks after Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law showed us “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” I have been watching it every year since. It is fun to watch Chevy Chase go through the chaos of trying to have a special family Christmas, and watch as it does not go as planned. Of course the film really picks up when Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, shows up. 

A few years ago, I kept hearing about a new Christmas flick called “The Star.” That Christmas I got a chance to watch it and it joined the collection of shows needed to watch in December. This film is based on the biblical story, but shows it from the animals point of view. 

Then there is my favorite Christmas movie – “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I love seeing angel Clarence Odbody first learn about George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, and then go down to Earth to be his guardian angel. There’s something about watching George put others first, while not realizing how much he means to them. He gets to see that from some help from his guardian angel.

When the town rallies around George, and Clarence gets his reward, one cannot help but feel the warmth of the season. 

Of course the real trick about watching these popular Christmas shows  is finding the time to do so – while fitting in all the get-togethers with family and other shows and events at church or in the community.  

But it is always worth it to pop some popcorn or whatever your favorite snack is, and find a show or two to take you away from the reality of this world and remember a positive Christmas message that will hopefully bring a smile and warm feeling to your heart.